[Zoomad75]

I'll agree on the flip. If you look at other trucks built, they use the same setup as what you end up with when you flip the shackle on a chevy. (I think Dodges are set up that way, hafta look again) With stock or Heavy duty replacement shackles I'd still say it would be ok to do everything you want to do with it.

Shackle flips are great because you don't need new rear springs. The flipping of the shackle nets the lift you want with the added bonus of a flatter spring. heavliy arched springs (lift springs) don't flex as well as flatter springs. Thats why a lot are moving from stock 52" springs (and putting them up front) and moving to 56" (stock 3/4 ton) or 57" (f150 stock) or 64" springs from a 88-98 CK truck. This is with a shackle flip of course. The stock 52" spring with a shackle flip makes for one nice riding, flexy rear suspension that can still handle loads as it was set up for.

Ord's are nice for flip kits (pricy), Sky has another kit (slightly less pricy) and DIY4x has the newest setup. The DIY setup drops the stock shackle in place of a heavy duty shackle made from thick flat stock (2 pc). All are beefy but the DIY kit is the beefy-est of them all.

Still you can do your own like Bowtier did. OR Go to the boneyard and get a front spring hanger (rear spring) from a 2wd truck (73-87), remove the stock hanger and install the front hanger in the rear. Requires a little fab work to do.

I've got a flip kit from a now defunct shop out of AZ. I love how it rides, gave me the lift to match 4" springs up front and flexes nice.